Keuchel Hoping For Shoulder To Respond With Rest

Astros starter Dallas Keuchel won’t throw a baseball again until at least Monday because of shoulder inflammation but he admits that there is really no timetable set for a possible return.

Last year’s American League Cy Young award winner felt normal after his last outing against Tampa Bay on August 27th, but he didn’t recover as well as he hoped and when he went to throw between starts he said, “There was nothing there.”

While medical tests didn’t reveal any structural problems, the frustration is still evident.

“It is an easy fix with time,” Keuchel said. “But we don’t have time.”

The Astros have 21 games remaining after Friday’s contest with the Cubs and still alive in the American League Wild Card race with Toronto, Baltimore, Detroit, New York and Kansas City.

“I firmly believe we are going to still be in a playoff hunt so hopefully I can help the guys out here in the next week or so,” he added.

Keuchel admitted that he has had a little improvement but he has never had the shoulder fatigue issue before and it is all new to him.

“I wish we could fast forward and get this over with but it is what it is,” he said.

Even if Keuchel feels better early next week, he would be two weeks removed from his last start and might have to build up his arm strength again, further putting his return date in question.

Unfortunately for the Astros, Keuchel’s shoulder isn’t the only one that is ailing. Shortstop Carlos Correa missed his third straight game Friday with shoulder pain. A.J. Hinch is hopeful that Correa could be available sometime before the weekend series with the Cubs ends.

“They are both disappointed being on the injured list and not active and helping us,” Hinch added. “They are mending. We are just hoping they can mend fast.”